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“We’ve got a hell of a problem with shoplifting here,” Mr Picton said.

“We’re sick of them stealing and then getting a smack on the wrist (from the courts).”

Mr Picton said he had dealt with a number of thefts over the year.

“We’ve had someone steal $140 worth of pens, there’s an old couple who come in and she picks what she wants and he steals it for her, we had someone steal $200 worth of magazines in one go and people have been stealing adult colouring books too,” he said.

But Mr Picton said he thought the problem was industry-wide and not just confined to his store, which now is fitted with cameras and a television behind the counter.